Storm Herminia cut our workforce in half but three GoodGymers still came out to help the volunteers at Sydney Gardens. Dave, Meyrick and Ruth started with a group run from the Leisure Centre - actually it was more of a leisurely walk but, hopefully, we managed to clock up a mile or so for the January Challenge.

Jane Austen once walked the paths of Sydney Gardens - she lived close by and attended promenades and other events in the park. So when GoodGym turn up to help restore the grade II listed space, they stand in solidarity with the author.

Today however the pleasure gardens weren't quite so pleasant, given the appalling weather. We had actually been due to move (heaven and) earth to fill in a rather large dip in the ground but rain stopped play.

Instead, we were given the job of helping the regular volunteers clear topsoil and vegetation with a view to creating a path next to the railway. Network Rail has recently installed some fencing next to the track to make it safer and Gill, the organiser, wanted to extend a walk alongside.

She pointed out what looked like a recess for a bench for visitors to enjoy the view and watch the trains go by. Who knows? Perhaps the esteemed author sat there once.

Spades, forks, colourful buckets and wheelbarrows were brought in to tackle the piles of soil and brush. You might say, "What on earth were we doing to take it on in the downpour?" But that's GoodGym for you!

We managed to make quite an impact during our session - although more work is needed to see if the famous writer's footprints will be revealed. (Spoiler alert - very unlikely!)